MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Dr. Lanny Pace, executive director of the Mississippi Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratory System, was presented the National Institute for Animal Agriculture’s President’s Award at the annual meeting March 31 in Louisville, Ky.

The President’s Award is given to an NIAA committee chairman in recognition of exemplary leadership and dedication to the Institute. Pace heads NIAA’s Emerging Disease Committee.

“The honor bestowed on Dr. Pace is extremely prestigious, as only one member is recognized,” said Dr. Robert Fourdraine, NIAA vice chair who presented the award to Pace.

NIAA has 213 members who practice across animal agriculture -- the beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goat, equine and poultry industries -- and include national and state organizations as well as veterinarians, government regulatory personnel, academicians, researchers, Extension specialists, producers and allied industry organizations.

Dr. Kent Hoblet, dean of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, commended Pace, who serves the university as a professor in pathobiology and population medicine in addition to his duties with the state diagnostic lab.

“The award is a tribute to the work Dr. Pace has done in overseeing the expansion of our state diagnostic lab system since he became the executive director,” Hoblet said. “In recent years, the laboratory has worked to protect human and animal populations by diagnosing poultry diseases, West Nile virus and other potential threats.”

Fourdraine said Pace has been, and continues to be, dedicated to helping animal agriculture stay abreast of emerging animal diseases.

“He plays a key leadership role in educating NIAA members and others within animal agriculture about emerging animal diseases and in creating resolutions and position statements regarding emerging animal disease issues, which are aimed at benefiting animal health and U.S. animal agriculture,” Fourdraine said. “What easily brought Dr. Pace to the top were his dedication and industry leadership, his servant’s heart, and his ability to quietly and efficiently tackle what needs to get done.”

NIAA has five species-based committees and six issues-based committees which address animal care, animal health emergency management, animal health and international trade, animal identification and information systems, animal production food safety and security, and emerging diseases. Committees develop resolutions that, once approved by the Board, are shared with appropriate industry entities and government constituents and agencies.

Contact: Dr. Lanny Pace, (601) 420-4700